Drafting a top WR would delight Texans’ Johnson

Speaking at his annual football camp on Saturday, Andre Johnson said he would like to play five more seasons. (Eric Kayne/For the Chronicle)

The last time the Texans drafted a receiver in the first round was 2003 when they selected Andre Johnson.

If the Texans have a receiver they believe is worth the 27th pick in Thursday night’s first round, Johnson hopes they take him.

“I’d like to have another (receiver),” Johnson said Saturday at his annual football camp for kids. “I’m all for it. I’ve asked for it for awhile. The more weapons we have, the better it’ll be for the team.”

The Texans need a receiver to start opposite Johnson, who’s coming off one of his best seasons with 112 catches for 1,598 yards.

Kevin Walter, a starter for the last six seasons, was released for salary-cap reasons. DeVier Posey would have been the most likely candidate to replace Walter, but he might not be ready until midway through the season because he’s recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Upping the talent level

General manager Rick Smith said he’ll take the highest-rated player on the Texans’ board, and the first-round pick might not be a receiver. He selected two last season, Posey and Keshawn Martin.

“If we’re able to add another guy, it would probably be the best group of receivers we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Johnson said. “Adding another guy (to go with) Posey, Lestar (Jean) and Keshawn — that’s a lot of talent. Not only would it be good for now, but it would be good for our future.”

The last time the Texans used a first-round pick on an offensive player was 2008 when they selected tackle Duane Brown, who has developed into one of the NFL’s best at his position.

Even though Johnson and Brown were the last two offensive players drafted in the first round, the Texans sent seven offensive players to the Pro Bowl last season: Johnson, Brown, quarterback Matt Schaub, running back Arian Foster, tight end Owen Daniels, center Chris Myers and left guard Wade Smith.

“If we draft a receiver, I’m going to help him as much as I can,” Johnson said. “I’ll answer any questions he has because I want him to perform well.”

Instant impact rare

Johnson knows not many rookie receivers make an immediate impact.

“It’s very rare,” he said. “It depends on the guy when he gets here and how dedicated he is to his craft.”

As the third overall pick in 2003, Johnson made a quick impact with 66 catches for 976 yards.

“I think a lot of guys coming into this league think too much instead of just playing,” he said. “I was able to pick the system up quickly, and I didn’t have a lot of mental errors when I first got here. I was able to just play.

“The big thing my rookie year was that I dropped a lot of passes. When you’re able to play and not have to think too much, it makes it easier for you.”

When the draft comes around each year, Johnson remembers what it was like for him growing up in Miami.

“I had a childhood dream of playing in the NFL,” he said. “I used to look at Joe Robbie Stadium (the Dolphins’ home) and tell myself I was going to play there someday.

“When I got here and participated in my first OTAs, I’d catch myself just daydreaming and looking at the stadium and thinking, ‘Man, I really made it. I’m in the NFL.’ My dream came true, and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Window closing

Johnson was asked how much longer he wants to play.

“I think there’s a big window for the organization, but Andre Johnson’s window is not very big,” he said. “When I came into this league, my goal was to play 10 years. Now I want to play five more.

“We keep adding talent every year. We get better every year. We’re on the right path.”

Johnson is excited about opening the season at San Diego on Monday night.

“It’ll be fun,” he said. “It’s a big stage, playing the opener on Monday night, and we’ll be ready to go.”